Difference between revisions of "Minagawa"
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| − | '''Minagawa Shōten''' (皆川商店) was a Japanese distributor based in Tokyo.<REF> Its address from 1934 to 1940 was Tōkyō Ueno Ekimae Okachimachi (東京上野駅前御徒町). Source: advertisements reproduced in {{Kokusan}}, pp. 85–8. Its address from 1951 to 1955 was Tōkyō-to Taitō-ku Okachimachi 3-chōme 16 (東京都台東区御徒町3丁目16). It was probably the same as before, with the new address system used after the war. Source: advertisements reproduced in {{Kokusan}}, pp. 169–70. </REF> | + | '''Minagawa Shōten''' (皆川商店) was a Japanese distributor based in Tokyo.<REF> Its address from 1934 to 1940 was Tōkyō Ueno Ekimae Okachimachi (東京上野駅前御徒町). Source: advertisements reproduced in {{Kokusan}}, pp. 85–8. Its address from 1951 to 1955 was Tōkyō-to Taitō-ku Okachimachi 3-chōme 16 (東京都台東区御徒町3丁目16). It was probably the same as before, with the new address system used after the war. Source: advertisements reproduced in {{Kokusan}}, pp. 169–70. </REF> From 1929, it marketed the [[First Hand]] plate folder, said to be made by [[Petri|Kuribayashi]], and it subsequently distributed many cameras made by that company. They were advertised as "made by '''First Camera Works'''". It has been suggested that First Camera Works was a joint venture of Minagawa and Kuribayashi, but it can as well be a mere name used for advertising.<REF> Joint venture suggestion: Baird, p. 15. </REF> (See the discussion in the [[Petri|Kuribayashi]] page.) |
After the war, Minagawa again distributed cameras called "First": the Firstflex 6×6 TLR and First Six 6×6 folder (at least the First Six was made by [[Tokiwa Seiki]]). It is very probable that the company was the owner of the brand name. Minagawa went bankrupt in 1955.<REF> Baird, p. 273. </REF> | After the war, Minagawa again distributed cameras called "First": the Firstflex 6×6 TLR and First Six 6×6 folder (at least the First Six was made by [[Tokiwa Seiki]]). It is very probable that the company was the owner of the brand name. Minagawa went bankrupt in 1955.<REF> Baird, p. 273. </REF> | ||
Revision as of 22:23, 6 February 2007
Minagawa Shōten (皆川商店) was a Japanese distributor based in Tokyo.[1] From 1929, it marketed the First Hand plate folder, said to be made by Kuribayashi, and it subsequently distributed many cameras made by that company. They were advertised as "made by First Camera Works". It has been suggested that First Camera Works was a joint venture of Minagawa and Kuribayashi, but it can as well be a mere name used for advertising.[2] (See the discussion in the Kuribayashi page.)
After the war, Minagawa again distributed cameras called "First": the Firstflex 6×6 TLR and First Six 6×6 folder (at least the First Six was made by Tokiwa Seiki). It is very probable that the company was the owner of the brand name. Minagawa went bankrupt in 1955.[3]
Distributed cameras
- First Hand (6.5×9cm plate folder)
- First Etui (6.5×9cm plate folder)
- First Roll (6×9cm folder)
- First Center (6×9cm folder)
- Semi First (4.5×6cm folder)
- First Six (6×6cm folder)
- BB Semi First (4.5×6cm folder)
- Baby Semi First (4.5×6cm folder)
- Molby (3×4cm rangefinder)
- Firstflex (6×6 TLR)
- First Six (6×6 folder)
- Pentaflex (35mm SLR)
Bibliography
- Asahi Camera (アサヒカメラ) editorial staff. Shōwa 10–40nen kōkoku ni miru kokusan kamera no rekishi (昭和10–40年広告にみる国産カメラの歴史, Japanese camera history as seen in advertisements, 1935–1965). Tokyo: Asahi Shinbunsha, 1994. ISBN 4-02-330312-7.
- Baird, John R. Collectors guide to Kuribayashi-Petri Cameras. Grantsburg, WI (USA): Centennial Photo Service, 1991. ISBN 0-931838-16-9.
- Lewis, Gordon, ed. The History of the Japanese Camera. Rochester, N.Y.: George Eastman House, International Museum of Photography & Film, 1991. ISBN 0-935398-17-1 (paper), 0-935398-16-3 (hard).
